Even with the warm weather lately, two Elmira District Secondary School alpine skiers hit the slopes last week, earning the school a pair of bronze medals.
The Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association (WCSSAA) meet was held Feb. 9 at Beaver Valley Ski Club near Collingwood, where Dayna Bowman and Markus Krepstakies took home third place in their respective races.
Head coach Dave Vandenberg says Krepstakies has been a top skier for the school for a couple of years now, so it wasn’t a surprise to see him place. Bowman on the other hand, is a first-time competitor for the school.
“This was the first time that we had seen her race. She is a Grade 9 student and she was competing against 20 racers from all age groups. She was competing against Grade 12 students. It was a great result for her,” he said.
Of Krepstakies, Vandenberg says he expected nothing less.
“Markus has been one of our top skiers for three years now. He has always been solid and he has always had good times, so it really wasn’t a surprise,” said Vandenberg.
Krepstakies, a Grade 12 student at EDSS, was less than three seconds behind second place. His first run was completed in 44.38 seconds, and his second, in 42.15 seconds.
Bowman was less than two seconds out of second place. Her first race she posted a time of 55.28 seconds. She completed the second run in 52.62 seconds. Vandenberg says he expects to see more from her at the next level of competition.
The two skiers are at Beaver Valley Ski Club today, competing in the Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association alpine ski meet.
“Of course, it is more difficult competition, but Danya’s time was very close to the silver medal time at WCSSAA. I think she definitely has the potential to get another medal,” he said.
Vandenberg says Krepstakies will most likely get a spot on the Central Western Ontario Secondary Schools Association (CWOSSA) podium as well.
“Markus has had solid numbers for years,” he shared.
The two skiers could eventually make their way to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA), the provincial competition, on Feb. 27 if they place high enough in their categories.
